Notre Dame student Kiara Gormlie claimed victory at the highly anticipated Young Soroptimist’s Public Speaking Grand Final Competition, held on Sunday, May 21st.
The event, which featured finalists from several universities, centered on topics related to the empowerment and enablement of women, showcasing the exceptional talents and remarkable dedication of the participating students.
Renowned for her esteemed legal career, the Hon Justice Pritchard of the Supreme Court of Western Australia brought her expertise and discerning eye to evaluate the participants’ speeches.
The competition attracted a diverse and enthusiastic audience, including the families and friends of the contestants, as well as the Fremantle Soroptimists, who are committed to empowering women in the community.
The Soroptimist Region of Western Australia generously sponsored a cash prize of $500 for the winner of the final, further enhancing the significance of the competition. This contribution not only recognises the exceptional talent and dedication of the participants but also symbolises the ongoing support for women’s empowerment within the community.
The speech content was evaluated based on its informativeness, persuasiveness, and convincing nature, aligning with Soroptimist International’s objective of increasing advocacy at a global level.
Soroptimist International, founded in 1921, is a global volunteer movement with a network of over 72,000 club members in 121 countries. Committed to advocating for human rights and gender equality, the organisation’s work across seven United Nations (UN) Centres ensures that the voices of women and girls are heard.
Through grassroots projects, Soroptimist International’s membership actively supports women and girls in achieving their individual and collective potential, realising aspirations, and having an equal voice in communities worldwide. Each Soroptimist club belongs to one of the five Soroptimist International Federations within Africa, Great Britain & Ireland, Europe, The Americas, and South East Asia Pacific.
Committee member of the Notre Dame Young Soroptimist’s Club, Mignon Du Plessis, expressed her excitement about the club’s progress after facing engagement challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s very exciting to see such keen interest from female students already and just goes to show how desperate the women of Notre Dame were for a space and a club to connect with other women,” Mignon said.
“We have a full committee now selected, and Semester 2 planning is already beginning. Big things are to come for the women of Notre Dame, and I couldn’t be prouder to lead with them!”
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the winner, Kiara Gormlie, who delivered a powerful speech that called for greater efforts in supporting young women, emphasising that their future is not merely an extension of the present but an opportunity to achieve a higher standard of living. “Why are we not doing more for our young women?… It is not just our world now; it is their future. They are entitled to a better standard than this.”
Reflecting on her participation in the competition, Gormlie said her initial motivation for joining was to gain valuable experience, but this soon evolved. “I discovered myself in the midst of a room filled with remarkable women who provided unwavering support, inclusion, and empowerment,” Kiara said.
“Walking away I felt like I would be able to make a difference for younger generations with the help of these women. It was an incredible experience that offered many future opportunities for both myself, and for the amazing ladies who I competed against.”
The ND Young Soroptimist’s Public Speaking Competition served as a platform for young voices to address issues of empowerment and enablement for women. By fostering an environment of inclusivity and encouraging critical dialogue, this event contributed to the ongoing efforts of empowering women and promoting gender equality in society.
